Mark Eckel’s Friday NFL notes – RANT SPORTS
Eagles Top Picks Leading Way on Defense
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and fellow rookie Cooper DeJean, the team’s top two picks in last April’s draft, have been a key to the resurgence of Vic Fangio’s defense.
Sunday in Los Angeles the young corners will be tested by veteran Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Kupp, a Super Bowl MVP, and Nacua, who caught 115 passes as a rookie last season, have battled health issues throughout this season. Both are finally healthy as the desperate Rams (5-5) host the red-hot Eagles (8-2) on Sunday Night Football.
“Yeah, two really good receivers,’’ Fangio, the Eagles defensive coordinator, said. “They really have good [chemistry], both of them, with [Rams QB Matthew] Stafford. They are strong at the catch point. Both of them are strong receivers. Both are excellent runners after the catch. [The Rams] have played, I don’t know how many games, but more than a few without either one of them.
“For them to be at this point in the season with the injuries they have had speaks highly of their players and their coaching staff. Now they are back pretty much to full strength offensively and they will be a tough group to defend.’’
Mitchell, who could be the leader for Defensive Rookie of the Year at this point, is coming off a game where he shut down Washington’s Terry McLaurin, holding him to just one meaningless second-half catch. Over his past six games, Mitchell has allowed just 10 completions for 87 yards.
Kupp has played just six games this season but has 47 receptions for 488 yards. He’s coming off his third 100-yard game of the season with six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a win over New England.
Nacua, in five games, has caught 26 passes for 373 yards. Over his last two games against Miami and New England he has16 receptions for 214 yards.
Sunday night should be fun.
Going, Going . . .
Somehow Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson survived after his Jaguars lost to the Detroit Lions, 52-6, last Sunday. That was the worst loss in Jaguars’ history 11 weeks after the owner said this was the best roster in team history.
This is also the third time since 2020 the Jags have started a season 2-9, or worse. In 2020 they started 1-10 on the way to 1-15 and in 2021 they started 2-9 on the way to 3-14. Those teams didn’t have the best roster in team history, however.
Isn’t He Special
Darren Rizzi, known as one of the better special teams coaches in the business for years, has won both of his games as the New Orleans Saints interim head coach.
In the team’s seven straight losses under fired head coach Dennis Allen, the Saints averaged 16.6 points per game and allowed 28.6. In the two games with Rizzi the Saints are averaging 27.5 points and allowing 15.5.
New Orleans is on its bye this week.
North vs. South
Detroit travels to Indianapolis today in the final match-up between the NFC North and the AFC South. Thus far the North is 13-2, with both losses belonging to Chicago.
Something has to Give
Tampa Bay, losers of four straight, travels to North Jersey Sunday to take on the Giants, losers of five straight. The Bucs have not had a five-game losing streak since 2017.
The Giants, like their division rival Cowboys, are winless at home this season. In their five home losses the Giants have averaged just 10.6 points and have been outscored 120-53.
Not a Lock
Speaking of the disaster that is the New York Football Giants, not only is the team saving money by benching QB Daniel Jones, they are avoiding incentives in Drew Lock’s contract by not playing him, either.
Lock, who has been the No. 2 QB all season, was bypassed for Tommy DeVito. Lock has clauses in his contract that pay him for percentage of snaps taken, completion percentage, touchdowns and quarterback rating.
Looking Ahead
This is what the top 10 spots in the draft look like as we head into week 12.
- Jacksonville (2-9)
- Cleveland (2-8)
- Giants (2-8)
- Las Vegas (2-8)
- Tennessee (2-8)
- New England (3-8)
- Jets (3-8)
- Carolina (3-8)
- Dallas (3-8)
- Cincinnati (4-7)
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
